Taco Bell's Inexpensive and (Relatively) Healthy New Item: The Black Bean Burrito
Ladies and Gentlemen, I would like to introduce you to a new kid on the block of fast food - the black bean burrito. Is it a meal? Is it a snack? The answer is yes.
For those who need a quick picker-upper in the middle of the day to keep them going, or for those wanting to make it a part of a complete meal, Taco Bell's new black bean burrito is everything you could ever hope for.
With the taste quality that we have all come to love and expect from Taco Bell, along with an attempt to at least appear healthier (although one can dream that it is actually better for you), the black bean burrito is the simplified, less expensive alternative to the new Cantina series - Taco Bell's attempt to compete in the big burrito arena with players like Chipotle.
The replacement of the refried beans with black beans, and the nice addition of cilantro rice, certainly adds to a new, delicious experience for avid Taco Bell fanatics such as myself.
If you have read my past articles, you know that one of my dream jobs is to work for Taco Bell. However, even if I that career never becomes a reality, I will still gladly recommend this fine burrito I have come to know and to love.
Black Bean Burrito
Nutritional Facts
| |
|---|---|
Calories
| 410
|
Calories from fat
| 110
|
Saturated fat (g)
| 4
|
Total fat (g)
| 12
|
Trans fat (g)
| 0
|
Cholesterol (mg)
| 10
|
Sodium
| 1100
|
Carbohydrates (g)
| 62
|
Dietary Fiber (g)
| 8
|
Sugars (g)
| 3
|
Protein (g)
| 14
|
Pros of the New Black Bean Burrito
If the information shared above isn't enough to inspire you to bolt out of your house to the nearest Taco Bell, then perhaps the following benefits will.
The Taste:
If I were to rate the taste of this burrito from 1 to how beautiful my girlfriend is, it would be a 9 (that answer is largely to keep myself from getting into trouble). For fast food, this burrito is great. With the black beans, rice, and three cheese blend, it feels as if one is eating a miniaturized Chipotle burrito for 1/3 of the cost.
The Price:
At around $1.75, this burrito is relatively well priced as a snack or part of a complete meal. The amount of food will doubtfully fill you up, but with the addition of a taco, burrito, or tostada, one can have a taste-diversified meal for around $3.
The Nutrition:
Sadly, there is little that can ever be beneficially said about fast food nutrition. And honestly, this burrito is not much better. However, in both the ingredients used to make it, and in the nutritional composition, it is on the better end of the fast-food spectrum.
In other words, if the alternative is a Big Mac, then the burrito is a good substitute. However, if you are wavering between the black bean burrito and a home made vegan salad - go with the salad.
What is the primary decider when you select where to find your lunch? (Honest answer)
You may want to consider finding healthy alternatives to constantly eating fast food. One meal at a fast food restaurant can use up the majority (or all) of your daily fat and salt suggested intake. While the convenience is nice, frequently consider other healthy alternatives as well.
Con of the Taco Bell Black Bean Burrito
No review would be complete without the negative aspects being included in the review. Because everyone is well familiarized with the negative wealth benefits of fast food, I will not go into that here. If you would like to learn more about health and fast food you can either Google search it or watch "Super Size Me".
That being said, there is really only one thing that I can say negatively impact my view on the black bean burrito:
- The Sodium Content: With the daily amount of sodium intake recommend for an adult at around 2,300 mg, the black bean burrito's 1,100 really reduces the amount of additional salted items that I can eat in a single day. While still not outrageous for fast-foods, it is a little on the higher end. Additionally, the level of fat in this burrito is noticeably lower than many alternatives.
If Taco Bell could find a way of slightly reducing the sodium content, I would suggest that the black bean burrito is one of Taco Bell's greatest successes in healthfulizing (I made up that word), their menu.
The Black Bean Burrito!
The burrito received 4 stars because of it's great taste, attempt to be healthy, and the simple fact that it is from Taco Bell. I have withheld the 5th star because of the high salt content and relatively unhealthiness of fast food. If the salt content is reduced by 200 mg, I would give the black bean burrito a 4 1/2 star rating.
My Conclusion About the Burrito
After extensively eating, admiring, and researching the black bean burrito, I have learned two things:
- The black bean burrito is a delicious drive-thru food that is striving to be healthy (though still has a way to go).
- Fast-food is certainly NOT healthy.
Therefore, next time you decide to go out for fast food, consider purchasing the Taco Bell black bean burrito. It truly is delicious and almost nutritious. However, until Taco Bell comes up with a higher health conscious menu, you probably do want to eat there as frequently as I have been recently (4-5 times a week).
In the process of writing this article I have decided to reduce my fast-food intake. However, when I do eat fast food, it's the Taco Bell black bean burrito! (And other quality Taco Bell items).
How would you rate your experiences of the black bean burrito, Taco Bell, and fast food in general?
